The Duke Nukem Developer-3D Realms closes

And so the saga finally comes to a close: 3D Realms, developer of infamous vapourware sequel Duke Nukem Forever, has closed its doors.

According to Shacknews the closure came about as a result of funding issues. 3D Realms staffer Joe Siegler confirmed the news in a forum post, saying: "It's not a marketing thing. It's true. I have nothing further to say at this time."

The closure brings Duke Nukem Forever's 12-year development stretch, most recently marked with a teaser trailer last year to a close.

Duke Nukem Forever publisher Take-Two said in a statement that it was not funding ongoing development of Duke Nukem Forever.

"We can confirm that our relationship with 3D Realms for Duke Nukem Forever was a publishing arrangement, which did not include ongoing funds for development of the title," said Take-Two VP of communications Alan Lewis. "In addition, Take-Two continues to retain the publishing rights to Duke Nukem Forever."

Founded in 1987 by Scott Miller and George Broussard, 3D Realms was best known for its Duke Nukem shooters and had famously been working on Duke Nukem Forever for over a decade.

Re: The Duke Nukem Developer-3D Realms closes

Sorry for reviving an old thread but I didn't want to open another one nor that I wanted to discuss this in the other DNF thread, the reasons behind the infamous delay were.. well.. too many. The game was due to be out and they did bring out a Trailer in the E3 convention 1998, but the whole build got canceled because, the developers were struggling to render the nevada desert with the Quake 2 engine, and then they decided to switch to unreal engine, so which kinda got them starting from scratch, and the DNF 1998 trailer didn't look Dukish enough to me, and the project leader, George Broussard himself is a perfectionist, this is another reason why the game has been due for so long because he kept adding more and more concept to the game's the 2001 trailer happens to be either a total fake, it was rendered using the latest unreal tech available at that time and there wasn't really a game at that time or there was a game but it didn't make more progress than 25% and didn't have a playble form, but the game kept making progress as Jace hall took a look at Duke Nukem Forever hands on in his gaming show in 2007, but then 2k who happens to be the publisher of the game, came up with a lawsuit against 3D Realms, for not being able to deliver the goods, which lead 3D Realms to a total shutdown, but even after that, a few of the old members of 3DR kept working on the game who're known as Triptych now, and gearboy bought the project, there were leaks of the incomplete game after 3DR shutdown, which looked different from what we have seen in Jace Hall's show earlier in 2007 which suggests another change to the game, so there were like 3 builds for this game, so that's like 3 games, I hope it's no longer a mystery now for the time and money spent after this game, similarly, Duke Nukem 3D Itself had a cancelled build too, which is called lameduke, It was cancelled and those who played Duke Nukem 3D might wanna use dosbox and take a look at it to find out why because it was like what Duke Nukem ll would look like if it was made an fps and nothing like the DN3D we know of

And of course, Scott Miller also added the fact that most studios doubled the number of staffs each year, but 3DR was a bit behind the trend, so the lack of enough members were also another reason behind the game as there weren't enough menpower.

Re: The Duke Nukem Developer-3D Realms closes

There've been a lot of jokes made while this game was still in the hands of 3D Realms, and I'll quote one of the best jokes from the 3D Realms forums greatest hits.

Originally Posted by Off A Cough

June 11th, 2009
Washington DCObama signs bailout for 3D Realms
All out of bubblegum, but flush with tax payer cash and ready to kick ¤¤¤.
In a small White House ceremony this morning, President Barak Obama signed into law Software Development Infinite Life Cycle Funding Relief Program (SDILCFRP), providing $20 billion of tax payer dollars for struggling developer 3D Realms.
"It is important that we look toward long-term employment considerations in the United States, and this law will employ dozens for at least two decadesof further development on Duke Nukem Forever," the President said in brief remarks. "In a world where the process is clearly more important than the goal, we must make sure that people are rewarded just for being, andnot punished for failing to produce."
Under terms of the new law, 3D Realms will be required to make changes to game content to be consistent with administration policies and initiatives.
3D Realm's flagship game, Duke Nukem Forever, will be renamed to Duke Nuke for Change, and its star character will undergo amake-over to "better representAmerica to the world," accordingto UN Ambassador Susan Rice.
"It is no wonder that this game failed. Duke Nukem is the arch-typical right-wing extremist, carrying guns everywhere and waving the American flag. He bears no social obligation and leaves a trail of destruction wherever he goes," Rice said.
Nukem will now carry the UN banner throughout the game, reading Miranda rights to the game's enemies and carrying injured aliens to free healthcare facilities throughout the urban areas that represent the game'ssetting.
Part of Duke Nukem's change willbe disarming the charismatic character, with his guns being replaced with a ballpoint pen from ACORN and a voter registration clipboard. Nukem's new goal will be to enlighten extraterrestrial enemies to register to vote and participate in the political process, a possibleindication of Obama's support of alien voter rights in the US.
In addition, the infamous swine-shaped law enforcement agents will be removed from the game entirely, so as to not offend Muslims who Obama hopes will become consumers of the software title, once completed. Instead, all enemies will be modeled to appear as Rush Limbaugh.
"If Duke is successful in registering them to vote, he will gain points and the enemy will transform into an attractive, young, cool hipster wearing hemp clothing and carrying the latest iPhone," according to DNF'snew project manager, Rahm Emmanuel. "However, if Nukem fails to register the enemy, theirkidneys will immediately fail and they will die."
Republicans immediately releaseda statement blasting the program as a waste of tax payer dollars, and promised to slow the funding by placing George Broussard in charge of all SDILCFRP operations.